Hotels in Paris – The city of light

Paris is a city of romance, art and fashionable café-lined boulevards. Whether you’re browsing for haute couture in the city’s sleek boutiques, whiling away the afternoon over coffee while watching the world go by or taking in the many world-renowned masterpieces in the city’s galleries, Paris is a city for the head, and the heart. Booking a hotel in Paris is a way to guarantee an amazing stay in one of the most beautiful and cultured cities in the world.
With its impeccable reputation for fine dining, Paris’s nightlife swings between the sultry jazz bars of the Marais and the raucous burlesques of Montmartre. Throw in cruses down the Seine, book browsing on the left bank and promenading on the Champs-Élysées and you’ve got a recipe for holiday heaven.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris is a city which takes its tourism industry very seriously, so unsurprisingly there’s a wide array of decadent luxury to be found throughout the more glamorous arrondisements of the city. Five-star hotels in Paris know how to take full advantage of their locations, so those near the Eiffel Tower may offer private terraces as well as the standard free WiFi, flat-screen televisions and on-site spas. From marble fittings to in-room massages and in-bar jazz concerts, you’ll find plenty of options for living the high life. From modern purpose-built spas to historic gothic piles, high-end accommodation comes in many shapes in this city.
From upmarket luxury to fun and hip hostels, the range of hotels in Paris is extraordinary. Most areas offer a range of accommodation suiting any budget. Simply use the tool at the top of the page, or click the Paris hotels map, to find and compare the best hotels the city has to offer.

The Louvre

The area around the Louvre is a great area to book your hotel. This area offers walking distance to many of Paris’s most famous museums, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Tuileries Garden, this neighbourhood is steeped in history. By staying here, you will be surrounded by some of the greatest treasures that Paris has to offer.

Le Marais and Bastille

The areas of Le Marais and Bastille are found on the right bank of the Seine. Both offer visitors the chance to wander through stunning streets, admire the architecture and peruse the museums, with the delightful Musée des Arts et Métiers being one of the hidden gems. Waking from La Marais towards Bastille, you will find quaint bistros and street stalls to satisfy your food cravings. Offering perhaps the best atmosphere in Paris, the hotels in these areas aim to thrill.

The Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter offers some of the more budget friendly accommodation options. Located in the student area near to the Sorbonne University, there are a multitude of eateries, museums and quite a few bookshops. A vibrant area, the Latin Quarter offers enough attractions to satisfy even the most eager of sightseers without having to venture to far into the city.

What to do in Paris

The first stop for most visitors is the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower. Climb all the way up its 324 metres for a stunning view of Paris. For other architectural delights visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece made famous by Victor Hugo’s hunchback and an inspiration to many architects. Alternatively, head over to Montmartre to appreciate the Roman/Byzantine architecture of the Sacré-Cœur, a Roman Catholic Church.
Throughout Paris there many fascinating museums to visit. The Louvre is, of course, a must to visit for those interested in art history and culture. The exhibits at the Louvre are housed within a historic monument that was originally a fortress, and later the official residence of the French Monarchy. The museum is so vast that you may need more than a day or two to see all that lies within.
Paris offers plenty for those interested in shopping. From the high-end fashion houses on the Champs-Elysees to the artisan stores located in Rue de Charonne and Canal Saint Martin, you won’t go home empty handed.
For something more family oriented, Disneyland Paris is a strong favourite. Located 32 km outside of Paris, it’s one of the most visited theme parks in Europe.

What to eat in Paris

Whilst the French are known for their haute cuisine you may be surprised to discover that some of the best food in the city will only cost a few euros. It may seem mundane, but until you have bitten into a freshly baked, crusty baguette, you haven’t lived. So much emphasis is put on baguettes that there is a competition held each year to find the best baguette.
Another bready favourite is the croquet-monsieur. This simple ham and cheese sandwich, which is grilled to perfection, has become renowned around the world. For the piece de resistance, add a fried egg and some Béchamel sauce.
Many Parisians eat on the move, and if you are on foot around the city you will probably end up following suit. For more ‘on the go’ food, we have the jambon-beurre. Found in almost every corner bakery, it is a half baguette with butter and ham. Street stall crepes are everywhere and are great for a quick snack. Impossibly light and thin, you’re better off choosing a stall that cooks to order, as fresh is always best. Most places offer a large number of toppings, but for the true experience, butter and sugar is the traditional way.
Lastly there are the macarons, a delicate pastry of almond meringue with a buttercream centre. Available around the world, they are originally from Paris, and being just a two-bite delicacy they can be intensely moreish.

Weather & Seasonality – When to visit Paris

Paris is warmest during the summer months of June to August, with milder temperatures found in spring and autumn and cooler weather in winter.
Spring in Paris is gorgeous. The trees are thick with foliage, the weather is great and the city is vibrant and bustling. Considered the perfect romantic getaway, many couples will head to Paris around Easter time.
Autumn is cooler, and this time the romantics come out for the arts, as it is during this time that the many new exhibitions spring up.
Winter might be a little chilly, but truth be told, Paris in winter is a spectacular sight. Full of stunning Christmas lights that brighten up the streets, and numerous festivals, events and street performances, the city truly comes to life. Ice-skating, Christmas markets and budget deals all round make this time ideal for a family vacation.
Summer is the time to be out and about exploring the city. With much of the attractions outdoors, and the weather at its best, this is a great time to visit.
There are many aspects – other than the weather – that can be determining factors for you as to when to visit. It is therefore important to decide exactly what it is you want to do and see and then determine whether the season will truly affect you.
Whatever time of year you decide to visit this wonderful city, preparing and booking in advance is highly recommended, and at Hotels.com we can help you find some of the best hotels in Paris.

Travelling around Paris

Getting to Paris is relatively simple. From Charles de Gaulle airport, 30 km out of the city, there is a regular shuttle bus service. In addition to this, there is also a train service that goes directly to the city centre. Orly Airport is closer to the city at just 18 kilometres and likewise has excellent low-cost public transport to get you in and out of the city. The Eurostar, and most other train arrivals, come in to the Gare Du Nord, which is located in the city centre and has very easy access to the Metro.
Once in Paris city centre, travelling is fairly straightforward. For example, the Paris metro is excellent. Regular stops can be found all over the city and tickets for one trip can be purchased at every metro station for €1.90. For those visitors who are staying for an extended period, you might want to think about investing in the Navigo, available as a weekly or monthly ticket option, prices range from €22 to €75 for the month.
Paris has an excellent bus service that runs as smoothly as the Metro and allows better views of the city by traversing the streets instead of underground. The icing on the cake is that the metro tickets can be used on the bus as well. An RER train is the option for those that wish to head out of the city for other sightseeing opportunities.
A fun and novel mode of transport is the Batobus, a boat that traverses the Seine. It has eight stops, which include the Champs Elysees, Louver, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Jardin des Plantes, giving you a unique view of this incredible city.